Topics  for  P 


rayer 


AND 


Covenanted  Intercession 


IN  FAVOR  OF  THE 

CONGRESS  ON  CHRISTIAN  WORK 
IN  SOUTH  AMERICA 


(MONTEVIDEO,  URUGUAY,  APRIL,  1925) 


RECOMMENDED  FOR  USE 
OF  CHRISTIAN  LEADERS 


The  selfsame  Jesus  who  commanded  *‘Go  ye’* 
likewise  said; 

“Pray  ye,  therefore”  and,  “I  have  prayed  for  thee” 
“Neither  pray  1 for  these  alone,  but  for  them  also 
which  shall  believe  on  me  through  their  word” 
“When  ye  pray,  say.  . . “Thy  kingdom  come.  . . 
“If  ye  abide  in  me  and  my  words  abide  in  you,  ye 
shall  ask  what  ye  will  and  it  shall  be  done 
unto  you”. 


“O  Heavenly  Father,  Lord  of  the  harvest,  have 
respect,  we  beseech  thee,  to  the  prayers  of  thy 
people,  and  send  forth  more  laborers  into  thine 
harvest.  Fit  and  prepare  them  by  thy  grace  for 
the  work  of  thy  ministry;  give  them  the  spirit 
of  power,  and  of  love,  and  of  a sound  mind; 
strengthen  them  to  endure  hardness;  and  grant 
that  the  Holy  Spirit  may  prosper  their  work,  and 
that  by  their  life  and  doctrine  they  may  set  forth 
thy  glory,  and  set  forward  the  salvation  of  all 
men;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen.” 
{Book  of  Common  Prayer^  Canada) 


THE  MONTEVIDEO  CONGRESS 


T hanksgiving. 

For  the  abiding  fruitage  of  the  Panama  Congress  in 
awakened  spiritual  interest,  in  extended  Christian 
brotherhood; 

for  the  valued  reinforcements  in  personnel  and 
equipment  since  1916; 

for  aroused  concern  among  intellectual  leaders,  na- 
tional reformers,  moral  pilots  of  youth,  outstanding 
women,  students  and  labor  organizers;  and  for  the 
providences  which  have  favored  the  Church  of  Christ 
in  its  approaches  to  South  America. 


Confession, 

That  we  are  prone  to  forget  the  Giver  even  when 
we  celebrate  His  gifts;  that  our  motives  in  service 
have  been  overshadowed  by  unworthy  or  inferior  aims, 
either  cultural  or  patriotic; 

that  our  ceasing  to  pray  has  accounted  for  a lessening 
of  our  humility  and  dependence  upon  God;  and  that 
small  expectations  have  indicated  our  lack  of  faith  in 
Him. 


Petition, 

That  all  missionary  undertakings  in  South  America 
may  be  initiated  and  promoted  in  Christ’s  spirit, 
every  measure  tending  toward  international  amity, 
every  system  of  education,  and  every  organized  effort 
to  evangelize  our  sister  Republics;  that  intercession 
be  regarded  by  all  workers  as  paramount  in  the 
Evangelical  enterprise  and  indispensable,  if  wisdom 
and  love  are  to  prevail  in  all  circles. 

For  the  men  and  women  who  have  united  their  best 
effort  in  preparation  for  the  Montevideo  Congress; 
for  the  safety  and  blessing  of  all  delegates  who  travel 
in  order  to  foregather  there;  and  for  a re-vitalized 
Christian  experience  in  every  repesentative  at  Mon- 
tevideo. 

That  deliberately  and  consciously,  every  delegate  may 
accord  Jesus  Christ  the  pre-eminence;  and  that  every 
advance  in  common  endeavor  may  be  consolidated 
by  the  Spirit  in  the  churches  represented. 


THE  DELEGATES  TO  THE  MONTEVIDEO 
CONGRESS 


Thanksgiving, 

For  the  blessed  unity  of  the  Spirit,  focussing  the 
preferred  attention  of  men  and  women,  diverse  in 
temperament,  gifts  and  training,  upon  the  all-absorb- 
ing  program  outlined  in  the  Great  Commission. 

For  the  dedication  of  their  redeemed  manhood  and 
womanhood  to  its  accomplishment. 


Confession, 

That  we  have  neglected  the  millions  of  Indians,  still 
in  their  primitive  savagery,  enthralled  by  their  supers- 
titions; while  we  have  been  slow  to  recognize  our 
moral  allies  and  to  fraternize  with  conscientious  and 
unselfish  lovers  of  their  fellow-men. 


Petition, 

That  all  relationships  between  delegates  may  be 
marked  by  candor,  justice,  mutual  respect  and  love; 
that  truth  may  be  sought  with  a view  to  human 
betterment;  that  all  who  differ  in  opinion  may  receive 
such  considerate  treatment  as  befits  their  high  calling 
as  Christian  brethren;  and  that  the  end  kept  resolutely 
in  view  may  be  the  enthronement  of  Christ  in  human 
life  all  over  the  Continent. 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA 


Thanksgiving, 

For  the  thousands  of  believers  who  have  developed 
a consciousness  of  privilege  in  adorning  and  extend- 
ing the  doctrine  of  God  their  Saviour;  for  the  degree 
of  self-maintenance  already  attained  by  the  churches; 

for  the  high  ethic  upheld  in  their  standards;  and  for 
the  evangelistic  fervor  of  their  outreach  toward  the 
unconverted. 

Confession, 

That  labors  have  not  been  yet  more  abundant  among 
women,  children,  students  and  workingmen  whose 
aloofness  is  due,  in  part  at  least,  to  lack  of  friendly 
cultivation. 

Petition, 

For  a far-reaching  revival  which  may  sweep  mul- 
titudes into  the  Kingdom  of  God  and  become  the 
dynamic  for  social  reforms;  and  for  such  brotherly 
love  as  may  obliterate  all  obstacles  to  the  solidarity 
of  discipleship  from  Panama  to  Patagonia. 

That  the  exponents  of  Christianty  may  steadfastly  and 
victoriously  contend  for  the  supremacy  of  the 
spiritual,  for  the  preciousness  of  faith  and  for  the 
matchless  glory  of  our  Saviour  Christ. 

That  the  spontaneous  expression  of  Christ’s  free 
Spirit  through  the  South  American  Church  in  public 
and  private  life  may  avert  all  hypocrisy  and  ill-will 
toward  men. 

For  a Church  committed  to  the  task  of  improving 
the  lot  of  all  classes  in  full  accord  with  the  teaching 
and  example  of  Christianity’s  Founder. 


THE  EDUCATORS  OF  SOUTH  AMERICA 


Thanksgiving, 

For  the  Evangelical  educators  who  have  built  their 
lives  into  institutions  of  learning;  for  the  host  of 
youth,  trained  in  our  Christian  schools;  and  for  the 
widespread  indorsement  by  South  Americans  of  the 
motives,  methods  and  objectives  of  such  teachers. 

Confession, 

That  the  number  of  winsome  and  capable  Christians 
graduated  from  our  Mission  schools  has  been  com- 
paratively small;  and  that  class-room  activities  have 
crowded  out  effort  to  win  souls  for  Christ. 

Petition, 

For  an  increased  number  of  teacher-evangelists, 
aflame  with  enthusiasm  and  aglow  with  love  for  youth, 
who  cherish  a profound  and  undiscourageable  belief 
in  the  divine  possibilities  of  missionary  education. 
For  true  partnership  with  all  guides  of  South  Amer- 
ican students  in  their  attempts  to  elevate  moral 
standards  and  dignify  public  service. 

For  adequate  financial  support  of  all  promising 
schools. 

For  a system  of  education  which  exalts  Jesus  Christ 
and,  at  the  same  time,  fits  for  the  highest  type  of 
character  and  citizenship;  and  for  teachers  who  can 
make  science  the  handmaid  of  religion. 

For  a general  movement  of  S.  American  students 
Christ-ward. 

For  the  approaching  Educational  Conference  in  Mon- 
tevideo and  for  all  who  travel  in  the  interests  of 
enlightenment  and  uplift. 


OUR  FELLOW-LABORERS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA 


T hanksgiving, 

F or  the  good  confession,  before  many  witnesses,  of 
so  many  pastors,  evangelists,  colporteurs  and  teachers; 
for  their  work  of  faith  and  labor  of  love,  their  patient 
continuance  in  well-doing,  their  heroic  and  sacrificial 
devotion;  and  for  the  companies  of  disciples  unde, 
their  pastoral  oversight. 

For  the  loyalty,  gratitude  and  hospitality  of  national 
churches,  and  their  notable  contribution  to  the  cause 
of  our  Master. 


Confession, 

That  there  have  been  occasions  when  we  have  but 
imperfectly  fulfilled  the  obligation  to  prefer  one 
another  in  honor;  and  that  we  have  failed  to  evoke 
the  best  in  each  other  because  we  have  missed  the 
best  to  be  derived  from  our  great  Captain. 


Petition, 

That  we  may  regard  all  South  Americans  as  potential 
brethren  in  Christ  Jesus,  all  comrades  as  yoke-fellows 
in  the  Gospel. 

That  the  coming  years  may  bring  such  an  outpouring 
of  the  Spirit  upon  South  American  churches  that  their 
old  men  may  see  visions  and  their  young  men  may 
dream  dreams,  that  their  sons  and  daughters  may  rise 
to  supreme  heights  in  their  heavenly  calling. 

That  there  may  be  a competent,  well-educated,  sanely- 
disciplined  ministry  of  valiant  mould,  prophetic 
temper  and  missionary  outlook. 


Thanksgiving, 


For  the  ennobling  traditions  of  the  Independence 
period  when  all  political  states  were  unified  by  the 
common  passion  for  freedom. 

For  the  sacred  principles  proclaimed  by  South  Amer- 
ican liberators. 

For  the  autonomy  of  ten  South  American  Republics 
and  their  passionate  espousal  of  the  rights  of  mankind. 


Confession, 

That,  for  long  intervals,  we  have  ignored  the  co- 
citizenship of  all  Americans. 

That  our  duty  to  evangelize  has  not  always  been  as 
eagerly  fulfilled  as  our  right  to  trade. 

That  we  have  evaded  the  information  which  might 
have  vitalized  our  interest  and  aroused  our  sense  of 
moral  responsibility. 


Petition, 

For  Christian  statesmen  in  posts  of  solemn  trust,  fo.-' 
diplomatic  agents  with  a world-vision,  for  leaders  in 
finance  and  foreign  trade  who  may  make  commerce  a 
means  of  international  concord,  for  merchants  with 
an  assertive  conviction  of  human  values  and  residents 
abroad  that  their  torch  may  burn  undimmed  amid  their 
new  neighbors  in  a needy  land. 


A CONSTRUCTIVE  CHRISTIAN  PROGRAM  FOR 


SOUTH  AMERICA 


Thanksgiving, 

For  the  valuable  contribution  of  our  Committee  on 
Cooperation  in  Latin  America;  for  the  union  institu- 
tions successfully  launched  and  administered  to  general 
advantage;  for  a growing  friendliness  among  Evan- 
gelical bodies;  and  for  the  spiritual  stature  of  South 
American  pastors,  teachers  and  authors. 


Confession, 

That  our  thinking  and  planning  have  been  national 
and  denominational  rather  than  continental  and  evan- 
gelical; and  that  we  have  been  slow  to  perceive  how 
large  a share  will  be  assumed  by  South  American 
leaders. 


Petition, 

For  clear-eyed  humility  to  recognize  God’s  choice  and 
ordination  of  South  Americans  for  the  purpose  of 
furthering  the  gospel  in  their  own  lands. 

For  the  joyous  desire  to  link  our  lives  in  unsparing 
toil  with  the  men  and  women  who  labor  while  they 
wait  for  the  Kingdom. 

For  a persistent  belief  that  One  is  our  Master,  even 
Christ  and  that  we  all  are  brethren  in  Him. 


Additional  copies  of  this  leaflet  may  be  obtained 
from  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  Amer- 
ica, 25  Madison  Avenue,  New  York  City. 


